BOEM director Amanda Lefton made the announcement at the IPF event in Atlantic City (source: BOEM)
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is to publish two ‘Calls for Information and Nominations’ for possible leasing for offshore wind in areas off the coast of Oregon and in the central Atlantic
In total, BOEM has announced eight new call areas in the central Atlantic and offshore Oregon, four of which are in deep water that will require the use of floating offshore wind turbines. Industry sources said around 70% of the total area in the call areas is water deeper than 60 m.
BOEM director Amanda Lefton made the announcement at the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum in Atlantic City. “The Calls for Information and Nominations for Oregon and the central Atlantic provide an important avenue to solicit information as we identify potential areas that may be suitable for future offshore wind energy leasing,” said Ms Lefton.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said, “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting a robust clean energy economy, and the upcoming steps taken toward possible leasing off the coast of Oregon and central Atlantic provides another opportunity to strengthen the clean energy industry while creating good-paying union jobs. We will continue using every tool in our toolbox to tackle the climate crisis, reduce our emissions to reach President Biden’s bold goals, and advance environmental justice.”
Due to be published in the Federal Register 29 April 2022, each call will initiate a separate comment period during which the public can submit relevant information on site conditions, marine resources, and ocean uses near or within the call areas. Concurrently, wind energy companies can nominate specific areas they would like to see offered for leasing.
The process initiated with the calls will enable BOEM to obtain information from and engage with ocean users and stakeholders as the bureau seeks to identify areas of least conflict for offshore leasing and wind energy development. This information will be used to significantly narrow the area to be considered for offshore wind development leasing as BOEM seeks to identify wind energy areas.
BOEM is seeking information on six areas in the central Atlantic comprising almost 3.9M acres. The closest point to the shore of any of the areas is approximately 20 nautical miles off the central Atlantic coast. Publication of the call in the Federal Register will initiate a 60-day public comment period ending 28 June 2022.
The Oregon call – the first action of its type off the Oregon coast – requests information on two areas that together comprise approximately 1,158,400 acres. Both areas – the Coos Bay Call Area and the Brookings Call Area – begin about 12 nautical miles from shore at their closest points, off the coast of central and southern Oregon, respectively. Publication of this Call will initiate a 60-day public comment period which will also end 28 June 2022.
BOEM will consider public comments and commercial nominations in response to the calls to analyse potential use conflicts before designating specific wind energy areas within the call areas. BOEM will then conduct environmental reviews of the areas. After completing its environmental reviews and consultations, BOEM may propose one or more competitive lease sales for areas within the areas.
Responding to the announcement, Business Network for Offshore Wind chief executive and founder Liz Burdock said, “BOEM’s announcement will advance these wind areas in new and established markets and support a strong, sustainable supply chain of American businesses.
“Today’s actions build further trust in the US market, which is critical to driving investments in manufacturing, shipbuilding and small business growth. Opening new lease areas in the central Atlantic will spark a second wave of domestic offshore wind development and bolster an emerging manufacturing core in places like Hampton Roads and Baltimore, and in Oregon, where the power of offshore wind can be unleashed along on the west coast.”
National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) president Erik Milito said, “Interior pursuing the first wind lease sale offshore Oregon and an additional lease sale in the central Atlantic is welcome news. The more offshore wind leases and the greater the geographical diversity of new American offshore wind projects, the greater the benefits will be to the national supply chain. Offshore wind is a national endeavour that benefits communities, through new jobs and investments, far beyond the states immediately onshore from lease areas.
“The Calls for Information and Nominations for the central Atlantic, which potentially includes areas offshore North Carolina, underscore the need for an immediate legislative fix that rescinds the upcoming prohibition on new offshore wind lease sales. Starting 1 July 2022 there will be a 10-year moratorium on offshore wind leasing in the area stretching from North Carolina down through the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. NOIA is advocating for legislation revoking the ban.
“Overturning the moratorium has been non-controversial. Language is already included in the America Competes Act and was previously included in the Build Back Better Act text. Congressional leaders should continue their bipartisan work in passing legislation that overturns the moratorium and allows for additional future lease sales.”
